XVII th International Philatelic Exhibition " Balkanfila 2014 " opened today in Vidin under the auspices of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria and personally by the President Mihail Mikov , the Union of Bulgarian Philatelists , " Bulgarian Posts " EAD , Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications , Vidin District Administration , with the support of the Federation of European Philatelic associations .

“Philately has become an important factor in spreading and enriching the culture and the frienfship amongst the different countries. BALKANFILA is a model on how to develop and show these values” - said Jose Ramon Moreno, president of the Federation of European Philatelic Associations (FEPA).

The exhibition includes 250 paintings , divided into five classes of competition - " Post History ", “Traditional philately ", " Maksimafiliya ", " Youth class " and "one board ". This year the competition will participate and young philatelists of the Balkan states that have not had this opportunity.

" Balkanfila " was held for the first time in Bulgaria in 1965. This year's exhibition was put into circulation a postage stamp series entitled " International cultural anniversaries " and a postcard with an image of Danube Bridge Vidin- Calafat.